Butte semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1886-1890, 1887-03-05

presided over that great body; and no man
will dare tell him that he has. Let the
Senator from Massachusetts 60 over there
and persuade the bitterest partisan on
that floor TO rise in his place and make the
charges there which the Senator has made
here. and he will be answered to the salts
faction OF the country.
no criticism affecting the personal charac-
ted of anybody. l spoke sim ly of the
| usurpation of constitutional power which
blocks legislation. II l had been in the
House of Representatives l should have
discussed it there. I discuss it as an
American citizen, as an American Senator,
and say-and do not believe there are
five men on the other side of the Chamber
who differ with me-that it is total re-
versal, a revolution of constitutional
methods of procedure in legislation in any
country. l have said nothing which in
wolves any disrespect to the accomplished
gentleman and public man to whom the
Senator from Kentucky has just referred.
My respect for him is as great as the Sena-
tors in all particulars which make up the
character OF the gentleman or the character
OF an able and accomplished statesman.
| am not dealing with that, I am dealing
with an assertion Of constitutional power,
which, il it pass unrebuked and it be sue
cessful, will turn the whole legislative
mechanism OF this country into farce
Mr.. Reck-I do not believe that the dis
tinghished speaker of the House has done
any wrong Intentionally, and do not be-
lieve that any man will dare say in his
presence what has been said on this floor
behind his back, without having an answer
which he would not like to hear, and which
would be a thorough vindication.
Mr.. Blackburn-Mr. President, II am
disposed to regret that my colleague found
1t necessary to make any reply to the un-
unfounded and inexcusable IT,
rade which the Senator from Massachu-
setts has seen fit to indulge in. 1t may be
true that the rules of this Senate have be-
come moss-grown and old and effete to the
Senator from Massachusetts, but it does
occur to me that the universal rules OF
prepriety and self-respect and common de-
cency should yet prevail among US. I do
not think that the speaker of the American
Congress needs a defense from an attack
like that emanating from such a
quarter. The idea OF the Senator from
assuming to stand on
this floor and preach homlies Oh non-par-
tisan legislation is more absurd than the
devils prating about the scheme OF univer-
sal redemption. Wherever the name of
that Speaker of the House is known and
recognized throughout this country, or
the world, it is the synonym
Tor all that is decent, for all that is fair,
and for an immense deal OF what is able
Republican colleagues in the House-out-
side OF mere formal methods-have at
tested their appreciation of his great quail
lies by enduring mementOes and souvenirs,
and have given proof of their appreciation
of the falsity OF the charges here lodged
against him. He needs no defense at the
lands OF my colleagues or at my hands.
Where he is known an assault like that
will not hurt him, and fatter myself that
wen in the State of Massachu-
etts. where the Senator is known
Ind seems to be appreciated. it will not
work a great deal of harm. The Senator
omes here and makes this assault, not
lIone on Il member OF the House, but on
ts presiding officer and when pressed by
IN inquiry as to what reason he had 10 do
hat he makes answer, if answer it can be
or termed, which l must he
to say is neither creditable to
lis candor nor to his manliness when
denominates the Speaker of an
American Congress a usurper. / deny. it
nd say that it is not true and that moth
no in his rn" stain such an asser-
that the Speak
nerican Congress
eiuse,. submit or stated they
'e would not submit to the proposed re-
'ision of the tariff or of the taxation sys-
EN- of the country, 1 deny that, and say
hat it is not true. ] simply rose to eA
ress the hope that the day would come
'hen the State which furnished to the Sen
tie chamber such men as Daniel Webster
nd Rufus Choate would at last find an
to honor itself and to do an
ssential service to the American people by
ending here a son who will be at least the
eer of the present Speaker OF the House
! all that goes to constitute fair dealing.
Ugh character and able patriotism.
This closed the discussion, and then the
uestion was put upon the conference rs-
'rt. which was agreed to without di-
isiOn.